ALMAGUIN NEWS, Thursday, October 22, 2009 - Page 3

BEHIND THE SCENES: Film Works producer Paul Stephens and director Ryan Redford have been PHOTOS BY MARY BETH HARTILL fi lming their feature fi lm Oliver Sherman in Trout Creek, Powassan and North Bay since Oct. 13. They DIRECTOR’S CUT: Oliver Sherman director Ryan Redford consults with actor Donal Logue during are scheduled to call it a wrap on Nov. 11. fi lming in Powassan on Oct. 20. Oliver Sherman now filming in Powassan Mary Beth Hartill things are easygoing, quiet and safe. This based on the short story Veterans. of roles makes the job more interesting. News Staff town has a sense of that,” said Oliver Producer Paul Stephens says it was a Dillahunt plays the lead, Oliver Sherman writer and director Ryan Redford. miracle that the story came together as Sherman. POWASSAN – Main Street in Powassan is “We were looking for a rural town and the quickly as it did. Redford began writing in Stephens says the film could be classified the backdrop to The Film Works production brick elements are a bit more modern that January and filming began Oct. 13. as a psychological thriller about two men Oliver Sherman. will tie into the shots in North Bay.” The two had initially teamed up to do who served in the war together seven years “The setting is a quiet rural town where The screenplay, written by Redford, was a western, but costs were too prohibitive, before. Once they return Franklin Page, so Redford stepped up, still reworking the played by Donal Logue (Ghost Rider) moves script, with Oliver Sherman. on with his life – settling down in a small “We started in a snowstorm in Trout town with his family. Sherman, however, Creek,” said Stephens of the first day of who suffered a head injury, is still living filming. They went on to continue shooting with the war and can’t let it go. Nor can he another scene. let go of Page, the man who saved his life in “Then it cleared up. It was beautiful. the war. But, we had to go back and refilm the first “He gets on a bus one day and knocks scene,” he said, adding that is was necessary on the door and kind of moves in,” said for continuity. Stephens. “Something is slightly askew with This is Stephens’ first time filming in the this guy.” Almaguin region and he is enjoying it. The Casting came up short in their search crew is filming in Powassan, Trout Creek for a man with his right ring finger missing and North Bay. down to the bottom knuckle. They could “It’s great. The colours have been only find an appropriate left hand. fantastic,” he said. Stephens explained that Logue had his Actor Garret Dillahunt (No Country for finger bound in the scenes and for any palm Old Men) says he has been in the area for a shots using the hand double the film would week and a half and, although he has been be flipped. on set for the majority of his stay, he has North Bay casting sessions brought forth JUST DELIGHTED: Thomas Michael (above), the writer, director and one of the stars of a movie admired the fall colours. 10 actors with speaking parts and about 100 recently fi lmed in the Burk’s Falls area, has nothing but good things to say about the experience. “It’s fantastic. I’ve taken some beautiful extras. pictures,” said the Washington State actor, “The people here in town are all excited,” adding he managed some time during the said Stephens. weekend for photography. Stephens says area residents have been Director has fond memories “I enjoy working in Canada,” he said. very accommodating about the production. Dillahunt has worked in Toronto, He says they knocked on the door of a North Mary Beth Hartill Michael wrapped up his last day of Vancouver and in Alberta during the filming Bay residence asking if they could use a car News Staff filming on Oct. 17 and was glad to be in of The Assassination of Jessie James but this in the film and the man replied, “You can Almaguin while the leaves were changing to is his first time in Northern Ontario. have it.” BURK’S FALLS – Filming of the comedy their deep autumn hues. The versatile actor says playing a variety Filming is scheduled to wrap up Nov. 11. Running Mates is over and the star power Filming began on Sept. 17 but Michael has moved out of Burk’s Falls – for now. and members of his staff were in the area Writer, director and one of the stars of the prior to that time scouting locations and feature film, Thomas Michael, was delighted auditioning for background cast and a few with the village as a backdrop to his film. speaking parts. WE SELL IT ALL ... “I loved it,” he said. “You can’t fake During casting he stated he liked the authenticity.” looks of the people who were stepping FEATURE OF THE MONTH Burk’s Falls, in the role of Shoulder, was forward to audition. He said doing casting CONTRACTORS the setting of this feature film about two in Burk’s Falls was much different than a childhood friends vying for the position of casting session in Toronto or other major WELCOME mayor. centres, where actors look more like actors According to Michael, the actors enjoyed than regular people. Available in Finger Jointed MDF MDF filming on location in Burk’s Falls. Michael “There have been some interesting Pine or Fibreglass joined noted actors Henry Winkler, Graham people,” he said. “I want them to look like • Plain, Fluted or Squared COLONIAL COLONIAL Green and DJ Qualls on camera. real people.” • Load Bearing “DJ Qualls love shooting on location,” He had the assistance of Jim Calarco, CASING BASE- said Michael, adding that the 31-year-old retired Almaguin Highlands Secondary DECORATIVE 7 ft. = $3.50 pc. BOARD actor, known best for Road Trip, looked at School theatre teacher, to help with casting. PILLARS 14 ft. = $7.00 pc. filming outside of a studio as a refreshing The group took over the village office and 7 ft. = $3.70 pc. change. “It really feels like you’re away.” the Burk’s Falls theatre on Sept. 4 as they THAT’S 14 ft. = $6.44 pc. Michael was not only impressed with sorted through the lineup of movie hopefuls ONLY Burk’s Falls as the primary location for that spilled out onto the street. They ran THAT’S its aesthetics, he also enjoyed meeting a second casting session the next day in ONLY people who helped behind the scenes, North Bay. .50¢ as background, and those who were Burk’s Falls councillor Lewis Hodgson accommodating to film crews, cameras and and wife Heather assisted in scouting for per foot .46¢ equipment taking over the streets. locations. 5/8 x 2 3/4 SPINDLES per foot “I love everything. I just love the people. “Lewis and Heather Hodgson were the & RAILINGS We had an amazing time,” he said. “The unsung heroes. They handled locations, 3/8 x 3 7/8 people were amazing. It felt like the whole liaised with the town, found motocross DOORS town was behind us.” bikes and ATVs,” he said. He says he would love to film in Burk’s Michael is hoping to finish the film in the Interior Wood Panel Doors Falls again if the opportunity arises “in a spring. Once it has made the rounds on the Bi-Fold Doors heartbeat. I’ll do Running Mates two and film festival circuit he anticipates the movie French Doors three here.” to be released in late 2010 or early 2011. ~ Gift Certifi cates Available ~ 1495 Seymour Street (next to Northern Honda), NORTH BAY 705-495-4250 SEE US FOR DECORATIVE TRIM, MOULDINGS, DOOR HARDWARE, PILLARS BRAY AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! MOTORS LTD. Hwy. 11, SUNDRIDGE (705) 384-5333/4 1-800-989-1113 • braymotors.com DRIVE ON OVER FOR THESE QQUALITY USED VEHICLES

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